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| MPs debate English votes for English Laws plans – politics live | MPs debate English votes for English Laws plans – politics live |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 3.26pm BST15:26 | |
| Conservative MP Jacob Rees-Mogg says that the “price of the union” for England is asymmetrical devolution and that “by virtue of being over 80% of the population and the richest part of the union” England cannot be afforded the same level of devolution as it would “overwhelm” the other parts of the UK. He says he therefore appreciates the proposals because of their “modesty”. | |
| Updated at 3.27pm BST | |
| 3.18pm BST15:18 | |
| Back to the debate currently going on in the commons – Alistair Carmichael, a Liberal Democrat MP, says that the government would do well to listen to Conservative peers in the Lords, some of whom expressed doubts about the EVEL plans yesterday. | |
| He quotes Lord Forsyth of Drumlean, who said: | |
| I really do think that constitutional change should carry consensus. If we proceed on the basis that we think it would be a good wheeze to make a constitutional change or that it might advantage one party or another, then other parties will do the same when they are in power. As a result, people will lose faith in the integrity of the institution and it will be greatly damaged. | |
| He says its the first time he’s quoted Lord Forsyth with approval, but “these are clearly extraordinary times”. | |
| Updated at 3.18pm BST | |
| 3.01pm BST15:01 | 3.01pm BST15:01 |
| Danny Alexander in running for China bank role | Danny Alexander in running for China bank role |
| Bloomberg is reporting that former Liberal Democrat chief secretary to the Treasury, Danny Alexander, is in the running join China’s Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. According to “two people familiar with the appointment process”, the government is considering putting Alexander forward for one of a small number of non-Asian seats on the development bank’s board. Alexander, who is 43, was rewarded for his time working in the coalition with a knighthood in the dissolution honours list. | Bloomberg is reporting that former Liberal Democrat chief secretary to the Treasury, Danny Alexander, is in the running join China’s Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. According to “two people familiar with the appointment process”, the government is considering putting Alexander forward for one of a small number of non-Asian seats on the development bank’s board. Alexander, who is 43, was rewarded for his time working in the coalition with a knighthood in the dissolution honours list. |
| Updated at 3.09pm BST | Updated at 3.09pm BST |
| 2.13pm BST14:13 | 2.13pm BST14:13 |
| Lunchtime summary | Lunchtime summary |
| Updated at 2.14pm BST | Updated at 2.14pm BST |
| 1.58pm BST13:58 | 1.58pm BST13:58 |
| Tempers in the chamber are getting a bit frayed. Labour MP Graham Allen intervenes in Wishart’s speech to say: “The honourable gentleman is posing as a second class member of parliament but he is getting a first class allocation of time.” | Tempers in the chamber are getting a bit frayed. Labour MP Graham Allen intervenes in Wishart’s speech to say: “The honourable gentleman is posing as a second class member of parliament but he is getting a first class allocation of time.” |
| Pete Wishart responds: | Pete Wishart responds: |
| Can I say ever so gently to the honourable gentleman, this is being done to us... and it’s taken a hour and a half and six speeches before it comes to a Scottish member of parliament, so we will take our time and I won’t be rushing for the honourable gentleman. | Can I say ever so gently to the honourable gentleman, this is being done to us... and it’s taken a hour and a half and six speeches before it comes to a Scottish member of parliament, so we will take our time and I won’t be rushing for the honourable gentleman. |
| 1.52pm BST13:52 | 1.52pm BST13:52 |
| Labour MP David Hanson says that Campbell-Bannerman, Asquith, Lloyd George, Brown, Callaghan, Gladstone and Churchill, all served as prime minister of the United Kingdom while representing a constituency in Scotland or Wales. Could this ever happen again?, he asks. | Labour MP David Hanson says that Campbell-Bannerman, Asquith, Lloyd George, Brown, Callaghan, Gladstone and Churchill, all served as prime minister of the United Kingdom while representing a constituency in Scotland or Wales. Could this ever happen again?, he asks. |
| The SNP’s Pete Wishart says: | The SNP’s Pete Wishart says: |
| I don’t. I have to say quite candidly to the honourable gentlemen. It would be absurd for a Scottish member of parliament to be a secretary of state for health and education when he would be debarred from full voting entitlements when it comes to getting legislation through the house... I don’t think there’ll ever be a Scottish prime minister. | I don’t. I have to say quite candidly to the honourable gentlemen. It would be absurd for a Scottish member of parliament to be a secretary of state for health and education when he would be debarred from full voting entitlements when it comes to getting legislation through the house... I don’t think there’ll ever be a Scottish prime minister. |
| 1.42pm BST13:42 | 1.42pm BST13:42 |
| Father of the House Sir Gerald Kaufman describes #evel debate as "one of the nastiest, most unpleasant debates I have attended in 45 yrs" | Father of the House Sir Gerald Kaufman describes #evel debate as "one of the nastiest, most unpleasant debates I have attended in 45 yrs" |
| Tory Bernard Jenkin says "in danger of putting Speaker in impossible position" on #evel and "we are inviting" poss judicial review | Tory Bernard Jenkin says "in danger of putting Speaker in impossible position" on #evel and "we are inviting" poss judicial review |
| SNP MP Pete Wishart says the govt's Evel plans are "meagre, threadbare, inept and stupid" | SNP MP Pete Wishart says the govt's Evel plans are "meagre, threadbare, inept and stupid" |
| 1.37pm BST13:37 | 1.37pm BST13:37 |
| Chris Grayling intervenes to say that the top up fees bill in 2004 would not have been passed if it wasn’t for Scottish MPs. Bryant insists it wouldn’t. He says it passed very easily at earlier stages and that the EVEL proposals don’t cover second and third reading, so wouldn’t have made any difference to the outcome. | Chris Grayling intervenes to say that the top up fees bill in 2004 would not have been passed if it wasn’t for Scottish MPs. Bryant insists it wouldn’t. He says it passed very easily at earlier stages and that the EVEL proposals don’t cover second and third reading, so wouldn’t have made any difference to the outcome. |
| Bryant says that this isn’t a move towards devolution, it simply retains power here in Westminster. There should be line-by-line consideration of relevant legislation by an England only committee, he says. “There should be a voice, so not a veto,” says Bryant. | Bryant says that this isn’t a move towards devolution, it simply retains power here in Westminster. There should be line-by-line consideration of relevant legislation by an England only committee, he says. “There should be a voice, so not a veto,” says Bryant. |
| This is the biggest constitutional change for quite some time... and it is being introduced without a constitutional convention... | This is the biggest constitutional change for quite some time... and it is being introduced without a constitutional convention... |
| It’s a bureaucratic nightmare and I think the honourable members will regret it... it’s as if the prime minister has decided to fashion a new grievance for Scotland and god knows they’ve never needed a new grievance, because he wanted to antagonise them... | It’s a bureaucratic nightmare and I think the honourable members will regret it... it’s as if the prime minister has decided to fashion a new grievance for Scotland and god knows they’ve never needed a new grievance, because he wanted to antagonise them... |
| Conservative and Unionist members will, in the end, rue the day if they vote for these measures because this is a charter for breaking up the union, not for keeping it together. | Conservative and Unionist members will, in the end, rue the day if they vote for these measures because this is a charter for breaking up the union, not for keeping it together. |
| Updated at 1.39pm BST | Updated at 1.39pm BST |
| 1.29pm BST13:29 | 1.29pm BST13:29 |
| The measures will not deliver the government’s aim, says Bryant. He points to this research from the house of commons library, which we mentioned earlier. | The measures will not deliver the government’s aim, says Bryant. He points to this research from the house of commons library, which we mentioned earlier. |
| Bryant says that the higher education bill in 2004 would not have been effected by these measures. Some MPs have claimed in debates that that bill (which introduced £3,000 tuition fees) would not have passed its second reading if it wasn’t for Scottish Labour MPs voting for it. | Bryant says that the higher education bill in 2004 would not have been effected by these measures. Some MPs have claimed in debates that that bill (which introduced £3,000 tuition fees) would not have passed its second reading if it wasn’t for Scottish Labour MPs voting for it. |
| “That vote would not have been changed by these proposals, would it? He need only nod,” he says to Grayling. Grayling shakes his head and says “it would have”. “No because it was at second reading and second reading isn’t covered, a point he’s made several times. He doesn’t understand his own provisions that he’s bringing forward this afternoon.” | “That vote would not have been changed by these proposals, would it? He need only nod,” he says to Grayling. Grayling shakes his head and says “it would have”. “No because it was at second reading and second reading isn’t covered, a point he’s made several times. He doesn’t understand his own provisions that he’s bringing forward this afternoon.” |
| Updated at 1.30pm BST | Updated at 1.30pm BST |
| 1.19pm BST13:19 | 1.19pm BST13:19 |
| Bryant says that Grayling chose not to go into any detail on what exactly his proposals entail because they are so incredibly complicated. | Bryant says that Grayling chose not to go into any detail on what exactly his proposals entail because they are so incredibly complicated. |
| This is a dangerous road to go down because it will set a worm of grievance into the hearts of many. | This is a dangerous road to go down because it will set a worm of grievance into the hearts of many. |
| He says that the measures will politicise the speaker and will open up his judgement to being questioned in a court of law. | He says that the measures will politicise the speaker and will open up his judgement to being questioned in a court of law. |
| 1.11pm BST13:11 | 1.11pm BST13:11 |
| Chris Bryant: | Chris Bryant: |
| Because our constitution is unwritten we shouldn’t enter into major constitutional change unadvisedly or lightly, but – in the words of the prayer book – discretely, advisedly and soberly. That means the government of the day should, where it possibly can, proceed on a cross-party basis and, where it cannot do so, and especially where one party alone holds a view, it should proceed with extreme caution. | Because our constitution is unwritten we shouldn’t enter into major constitutional change unadvisedly or lightly, but – in the words of the prayer book – discretely, advisedly and soberly. That means the government of the day should, where it possibly can, proceed on a cross-party basis and, where it cannot do so, and especially where one party alone holds a view, it should proceed with extreme caution. |
| Updated at 1.14pm BST | Updated at 1.14pm BST |
| 1.03pm BST13:03 | 1.03pm BST13:03 |
| Shadow leader of the house of commons, Chris Bryant, says that he passionately supports the union, but also supports devolution to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. | Shadow leader of the house of commons, Chris Bryant, says that he passionately supports the union, but also supports devolution to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. |
| I believe that England should have a clear and distinctive voice in this parliament. For that matter, I also believe that power, responsibility and finance should be devolved further within England because we are, and have been for far too long, a very centralised state. | I believe that England should have a clear and distinctive voice in this parliament. For that matter, I also believe that power, responsibility and finance should be devolved further within England because we are, and have been for far too long, a very centralised state. |
| All MPs are equal...I believe that overturning that equality of all members that has withstood an 800 year test is a big step to take. | All MPs are equal...I believe that overturning that equality of all members that has withstood an 800 year test is a big step to take. |
| Updated at 1.04pm BST | Updated at 1.04pm BST |
| 12.57pm BST12:57 | 12.57pm BST12:57 |
| The public is on our side on this issue, says Grayling. He says that the fact that the Conservatives are in government demonstrates that they are more in touch with public opinion than the opposition. Chris Grayling concludes: | The public is on our side on this issue, says Grayling. He says that the fact that the Conservatives are in government demonstrates that they are more in touch with public opinion than the opposition. Chris Grayling concludes: |
| We are going to hear much this afternoon about how this will create a different class of MPs...the truth is Madam Deputy Speaker, is that this is actually nonsense. Despite all the rhetoric our proposals do none of that. They bring fairness to our devolution settlement and it’s fairness that will secure the future of our Union. | We are going to hear much this afternoon about how this will create a different class of MPs...the truth is Madam Deputy Speaker, is that this is actually nonsense. Despite all the rhetoric our proposals do none of that. They bring fairness to our devolution settlement and it’s fairness that will secure the future of our Union. |
| 12.51pm BST12:51 | 12.51pm BST12:51 |
| Grayling: "I am entirely comfortable as a unionist in presenting these to this house, no matter what some on the other side might say" #EVEL | Grayling: "I am entirely comfortable as a unionist in presenting these to this house, no matter what some on the other side might say" #EVEL |
| 12.47pm BST12:47 | 12.47pm BST12:47 |
| Conservative MP John Redwood says English Labour MPs should be ashamed of their party’s position. Grayling says Labour’s opposition baffles him as it gives English MPs the same rights as MPs from other countries in the UK. | Conservative MP John Redwood says English Labour MPs should be ashamed of their party’s position. Grayling says Labour’s opposition baffles him as it gives English MPs the same rights as MPs from other countries in the UK. |
| John Redwood on #evel "England has waited 18 years for some justice" | John Redwood on #evel "England has waited 18 years for some justice" |
| Angus MacNeil MP says that, seeing as he wants English votes for English laws, could the Scottish get Scottish votes for Scottish laws. Grayling replies that Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland all have devolved governments, so why shouldn’t England have more controls over its own matters. | Angus MacNeil MP says that, seeing as he wants English votes for English laws, could the Scottish get Scottish votes for Scottish laws. Grayling replies that Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland all have devolved governments, so why shouldn’t England have more controls over its own matters. |
| Updated at 12.50pm BST | Updated at 12.50pm BST |
| 12.43pm BST12:43 | 12.43pm BST12:43 |
| Conservative MP Edward Leigh says he is grateful to Grayling for listening so carefully to the views of MPs. “He’s actually a model minister in that respect.” | Conservative MP Edward Leigh says he is grateful to Grayling for listening so carefully to the views of MPs. “He’s actually a model minister in that respect.” |
| 12.40pm BST12:40 | 12.40pm BST12:40 |
| Grayling says Scots & Welsh MPs wd still be able to be English Health Sec (despite, at times, not being able to vote on own policies.) | Grayling says Scots & Welsh MPs wd still be able to be English Health Sec (despite, at times, not being able to vote on own policies.) |
| Grayling says #evel could affect 3 or 4 bills in the next few months; snp claim that could mean housing bill within the next week | Grayling says #evel could affect 3 or 4 bills in the next few months; snp claim that could mean housing bill within the next week |
| Grayling: #evel is "process of development" and if there is issue of financial implications for Scotland/Wales then "we will return to it" | Grayling: #evel is "process of development" and if there is issue of financial implications for Scotland/Wales then "we will return to it" |
| 12.38pm BST12:38 | 12.38pm BST12:38 |
| Conservative MP Mark Spencer asks Chris Grayling if the nickname for the proposals should be changed. For some reason he doesn’t think ‘EVEL’ has helped the government’s cause. He suggests that ‘Laws Only Votable in England’ might be a good replacement – so, LOVE. Chris Grayling says that he was not responsible for the name and so can’t do anything about it. | Conservative MP Mark Spencer asks Chris Grayling if the nickname for the proposals should be changed. For some reason he doesn’t think ‘EVEL’ has helped the government’s cause. He suggests that ‘Laws Only Votable in England’ might be a good replacement – so, LOVE. Chris Grayling says that he was not responsible for the name and so can’t do anything about it. |
| Grayling says that it is untenable to say that devolution for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland is a good thing, but it’s not appropriate to England. | Grayling says that it is untenable to say that devolution for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland is a good thing, but it’s not appropriate to England. |
| Updated at 12.39pm BST | Updated at 12.39pm BST |
| 12.27pm BST12:27 | 12.27pm BST12:27 |
| MPs debate plans for 'English votes for English laws' | MPs debate plans for 'English votes for English laws' |
| Chris Grayling, leader of the house of commons, says he is a staunch unionist and he thinks the whole of the UK is stronger than the sum of its parts. | Chris Grayling, leader of the house of commons, says he is a staunch unionist and he thinks the whole of the UK is stronger than the sum of its parts. |
| He says he will always cheer for the nations of the United Kingdom in sports. | He says he will always cheer for the nations of the United Kingdom in sports. |
| Somebody shouts at Grayling to “sit down” and gets a telling off from the deputy speaker. Kevin Brennan MP is then forced to apologise for saying “shut up”. | Somebody shouts at Grayling to “sit down” and gets a telling off from the deputy speaker. Kevin Brennan MP is then forced to apologise for saying “shut up”. |
| Tempers fraying in #evel debate almost immediately. Labour MP Kevin Brennan forced to apologise for telling Grayling to "shut up". | Tempers fraying in #evel debate almost immediately. Labour MP Kevin Brennan forced to apologise for telling Grayling to "shut up". |
| Updated at 12.34pm BST | Updated at 12.34pm BST |
| 11.42am BST11:42 | 11.42am BST11:42 |
| TheGreatBaldo and Tenthred, who have been commenting below the line, have drawn my attention to this House of Commons library research on the number of bills that will actually be affected by the EVEL plans. Between June 2001 and March 2015, the outcome of 0.7% of votes would have been different if the votes of Scottish MPs not been counted. | TheGreatBaldo and Tenthred, who have been commenting below the line, have drawn my attention to this House of Commons library research on the number of bills that will actually be affected by the EVEL plans. Between June 2001 and March 2015, the outcome of 0.7% of votes would have been different if the votes of Scottish MPs not been counted. |
| Six of 19 governments since 1945 have had a sufficient number of MPs in England to form a UK majority consisting of English MPs only. Of these six governments two were Labour administrations, three Conservative and one the current Coalition... | Six of 19 governments since 1945 have had a sufficient number of MPs in England to form a UK majority consisting of English MPs only. Of these six governments two were Labour administrations, three Conservative and one the current Coalition... |
| Of approximately 3,800 divisions to occur between 26 June 2001 and 26 March 2015, 25 (0.7%) would have concluded differently had the votes of Scottish MPs not been counted. | Of approximately 3,800 divisions to occur between 26 June 2001 and 26 March 2015, 25 (0.7%) would have concluded differently had the votes of Scottish MPs not been counted. |
| In the 2010-15 Parliament, the lobby in which the majority of English MPs have voted coincided with that of the majority of UK MPs for 99% of divisions. The majority of Scottish MPs has coincided with the majority of UK MPs for 26% of divisions; that of Welsh MPs for 28% of divisions. | In the 2010-15 Parliament, the lobby in which the majority of English MPs have voted coincided with that of the majority of UK MPs for 99% of divisions. The majority of Scottish MPs has coincided with the majority of UK MPs for 26% of divisions; that of Welsh MPs for 28% of divisions. |
| 11.13am BST11:13 | 11.13am BST11:13 |
| Labour MP Jonathan Reynolds describes the nuclear energy deal the UK has done with the Chinese as ridiculous. Swire responds that he does not regard £30bn of Chinese investment into the UK as ridiculous. | Labour MP Jonathan Reynolds describes the nuclear energy deal the UK has done with the Chinese as ridiculous. Swire responds that he does not regard £30bn of Chinese investment into the UK as ridiculous. |
| Liberal Democrat MP Tom Brake asks Swire about comments by Sir Simon McDonald, permanent secretary at the Foreign Office, that “human rights are no longer a priority for the UK government”. Swire responds that human rights was being brought into the mainstream work of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office because they think it informs everything they do on a day to day basis. | Liberal Democrat MP Tom Brake asks Swire about comments by Sir Simon McDonald, permanent secretary at the Foreign Office, that “human rights are no longer a priority for the UK government”. Swire responds that human rights was being brought into the mainstream work of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office because they think it informs everything they do on a day to day basis. |
| 11.07am BST11:07 | 11.07am BST11:07 |
| Hugo Swire says that in advance of the Chinese state visit he met with a number of human rights pressure groups. | Hugo Swire says that in advance of the Chinese state visit he met with a number of human rights pressure groups. |
| In response to a question from Conservative MP Peter Bone, Swire says that the UK can show China that there is nothing to fear from freedom of expression. We take our freedoms for granted and should do everything we can to export them abroad, he says. | In response to a question from Conservative MP Peter Bone, Swire says that the UK can show China that there is nothing to fear from freedom of expression. We take our freedoms for granted and should do everything we can to export them abroad, he says. |
| Swire says that Chinese dissident artist Ai Weiwei is wrong to say that the UK government is sacrificing long-term values for short term gains. | Swire says that Chinese dissident artist Ai Weiwei is wrong to say that the UK government is sacrificing long-term values for short term gains. |
| 11.00am BST11:00 | 11.00am BST11:00 |
| Labour’s former acting leader Harriet Harman says this debate is very important and she’s sure it will be watched in China. She criticises the government’s attack on the Human Rights Act and the use of the term “Labour’s Human Rights Act”. | Labour’s former acting leader Harriet Harman says this debate is very important and she’s sure it will be watched in China. She criticises the government’s attack on the Human Rights Act and the use of the term “Labour’s Human Rights Act”. |
| Frankly, you cannot stand up for human rights abroad if you regard them as a nuisance at home. | Frankly, you cannot stand up for human rights abroad if you regard them as a nuisance at home. |
| 10.56am BST10:56 | 10.56am BST10:56 |
| Tory minister Tim Loughton asks about Tibet and the reports that “Chinese state sponsored cheer leaders” were given ‘I love China’ t-shirts and pushed to the front of the crowd, in front of protesters, during the procession along the Mall on Tuesday. | Tory minister Tim Loughton asks about Tibet and the reports that “Chinese state sponsored cheer leaders” were given ‘I love China’ t-shirts and pushed to the front of the crowd, in front of protesters, during the procession along the Mall on Tuesday. |
| 10.52am BST10:52 | 10.52am BST10:52 |
| Labour MP Catherine West asks whether UK ministers have had any opportunity to raise issues of freedom of religion in China with the Chinese president. She asks specifically about Zhejiang province and the case of the persecution of christians there. | Labour MP Catherine West asks whether UK ministers have had any opportunity to raise issues of freedom of religion in China with the Chinese president. She asks specifically about Zhejiang province and the case of the persecution of christians there. |
| Swire says that the situation in Zhejiang has been raised before in parliament and is worrying. | Swire says that the situation in Zhejiang has been raised before in parliament and is worrying. |
| Conservative MP Edward Leigh says that the persecution of christians in China is the sort of thing that happened in the UK in the 16th century and that the UK must not be afraid of raising these issues with the Chinese because they are trying to develop economic relations. | Conservative MP Edward Leigh says that the persecution of christians in China is the sort of thing that happened in the UK in the 16th century and that the UK must not be afraid of raising these issues with the Chinese because they are trying to develop economic relations. |
| 10.46am BST10:46 | 10.46am BST10:46 |
| Fiona Bruce is responding to Swire’s answer by listing a string of cases of Chinese citizens being prosecuted for speaking out against the Chinese state. Bruce is the chair of the Conservative Party Human Rights Commission. She quotes Martin Luther King: | Fiona Bruce is responding to Swire’s answer by listing a string of cases of Chinese citizens being prosecuted for speaking out against the Chinese state. Bruce is the chair of the Conservative Party Human Rights Commission. She quotes Martin Luther King: |
| In the end we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends. | In the end we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends. |
| 10.42am BST10:42 | 10.42am BST10:42 |
| MPs debate China's human rights record | MPs debate China's human rights record |
| Fiona Bruce MP is asking her urgent question about the case of lawyer Zhang Kai. | Fiona Bruce MP is asking her urgent question about the case of lawyer Zhang Kai. |
| Hugo Swire, minister of state for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, is answering saying that the UK government is in the middle of a “hugely positive” state visit from China’s President Xi. The strong relationship which the government is building allows the UK to discuss all issues, he says. The government is concerned about the case of Zhang Kai and that his whereabouts are unknown, he says. | Hugo Swire, minister of state for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, is answering saying that the UK government is in the middle of a “hugely positive” state visit from China’s President Xi. The strong relationship which the government is building allows the UK to discuss all issues, he says. The government is concerned about the case of Zhang Kai and that his whereabouts are unknown, he says. |
| Updated at 11.15am BST | Updated at 11.15am BST |
| 10.38am BST10:38 | 10.38am BST10:38 |
| Chris Grayling, leader of the House of Commons, has written for ConservativeHome about the EVEL question: | Chris Grayling, leader of the House of Commons, has written for ConservativeHome about the EVEL question: |
| Issues like health and education have long since been the province of the assemblies and parliaments in Cardiff, Belfast and Edinburgh. We are now moving to a new stage of devolution, with responsibilities also passing for parts of our taxation system as well. Local decision making is at the heart of our strategy in this Parliament. | Issues like health and education have long since been the province of the assemblies and parliaments in Cardiff, Belfast and Edinburgh. We are now moving to a new stage of devolution, with responsibilities also passing for parts of our taxation system as well. Local decision making is at the heart of our strategy in this Parliament. |
| But England has to be a part of this as well. It cannot be in any of our interests to see English people becoming cynical about the Union. That is why it has been so important to secure what most reasonable people would think to be a fair settlement across the United Kingdom... | But England has to be a part of this as well. It cannot be in any of our interests to see English people becoming cynical about the Union. That is why it has been so important to secure what most reasonable people would think to be a fair settlement across the United Kingdom... |
| It’s simply a question of fairness, of creating fairer Parliaments and Assemblies. We need to give the English a stronger voice on English matters. | It’s simply a question of fairness, of creating fairer Parliaments and Assemblies. We need to give the English a stronger voice on English matters. |
| 10.22am BST10:22 | 10.22am BST10:22 |
| Bercow grants urgent question on China | Bercow grants urgent question on China |
| The House of Commons Speaker John Bercow has granted an urgent question on China’s human rights record to Conservative MP Fiona Bruce. | The House of Commons Speaker John Bercow has granted an urgent question on China’s human rights record to Conservative MP Fiona Bruce. |
| Bercow has been stirring trouble for Cameron during the visit of Chinese president Xi Jinping, making a series of references to human rights and democracy on Tuesday during Xi’s visite to parliament. | Bercow has been stirring trouble for Cameron during the visit of Chinese president Xi Jinping, making a series of references to human rights and democracy on Tuesday during Xi’s visite to parliament. |
| A Foreign Office minister will respond to Bruce’s question, which will focus on reports that human rights lawyer Zhang Kai faces a severe prison sentence and a possible death penalty for defending civil liberties. | A Foreign Office minister will respond to Bruce’s question, which will focus on reports that human rights lawyer Zhang Kai faces a severe prison sentence and a possible death penalty for defending civil liberties. |
| Bercow's overly firm handshake from yesterday is still making me laugh https://t.co/yRnFQcKg55 | Bercow's overly firm handshake from yesterday is still making me laugh https://t.co/yRnFQcKg55 |
| 10.09am BST10:09 | 10.09am BST10:09 |
| George Osborne has just started giving evidence to the Treasury select committee on the Bank of England Bill. You can get live updates on our business live blog here. You can also watch the meeting here. | George Osborne has just started giving evidence to the Treasury select committee on the Bank of England Bill. You can get live updates on our business live blog here. You can also watch the meeting here. |
| Updated at 10.12am BST | Updated at 10.12am BST |
| 10.00am BST10:00 | 10.00am BST10:00 |
| The Fabian Society’s general secretary Andrew Harrop has written a blog post about what EVEL will mean for the Labour party, pointing to the organisation’s Mountain to Climb report, which set out what it will take for Labour to win in 2020. | The Fabian Society’s general secretary Andrew Harrop has written a blog post about what EVEL will mean for the Labour party, pointing to the organisation’s Mountain to Climb report, which set out what it will take for Labour to win in 2020. |
| To win a majority in England under EVEL, an anti-Conservative alliance would need to gain 71 seats. For Labour to win these seats alone, without any gains by the Liberal Democrats, it would require a swing in the key English Lab/Con marginals of 7.5 percentage points. The task would be easier if the Lib Dems and Labour were each able to make gains in England, in seats where they face the Conservatives. If both parties achieved a swing of around 6.5 points this would be sufficient for them to achieve a combined majority in England (Labour would gain around 55 seats; and the Lib Dems 16). This suggests that it is strongly in Labour’s interests for the Lib Dems to stage a recovery in those parts of England where Labour is not competitive, such as the South West. | To win a majority in England under EVEL, an anti-Conservative alliance would need to gain 71 seats. For Labour to win these seats alone, without any gains by the Liberal Democrats, it would require a swing in the key English Lab/Con marginals of 7.5 percentage points. The task would be easier if the Lib Dems and Labour were each able to make gains in England, in seats where they face the Conservatives. If both parties achieved a swing of around 6.5 points this would be sufficient for them to achieve a combined majority in England (Labour would gain around 55 seats; and the Lib Dems 16). This suggests that it is strongly in Labour’s interests for the Lib Dems to stage a recovery in those parts of England where Labour is not competitive, such as the South West. |
| Looking at these numbers, it is clear that the task of eliminating the Conservative majority could be relatively achievable, even after the boundary changes; while the task of winning a UK Labour majority will be very difficult. This means there is a good chance that no party will win a UK majority in 2020: Labour will need to give careful thought to the many possible scenarios arising from a future hung parliament. EVEL hugely complicates the picture, because it creates the possibility of an anti-Conservative alliance being able to secure a UK majority but not an English majority. | Looking at these numbers, it is clear that the task of eliminating the Conservative majority could be relatively achievable, even after the boundary changes; while the task of winning a UK Labour majority will be very difficult. This means there is a good chance that no party will win a UK majority in 2020: Labour will need to give careful thought to the many possible scenarios arising from a future hung parliament. EVEL hugely complicates the picture, because it creates the possibility of an anti-Conservative alliance being able to secure a UK majority but not an English majority. |
| Updated at 10.00am BST | Updated at 10.00am BST |
| 9.42am BST09:42 | 9.42am BST09:42 |
| Today’s Guardian editorial focuses on the EVEL question. Here’s an extract – | Today’s Guardian editorial focuses on the EVEL question. Here’s an extract – |
| The main item on the agenda for the House of Commons on Thursday may seem drily procedural, Westminster-bubble stuff. But the motion “to approve standing orders relating to English votes for English laws”, to be moved by the leader of the Commons, Chris Grayling, plays with constitutional fire. Within the thickets of subclauses and the jungle of parliamentary drafting of these new standing orders lurks a potentially explosive question. Is the Commons becoming the parliament of a state whose constituent nations are now inexorably and antagonistically moving apart from one another? | The main item on the agenda for the House of Commons on Thursday may seem drily procedural, Westminster-bubble stuff. But the motion “to approve standing orders relating to English votes for English laws”, to be moved by the leader of the Commons, Chris Grayling, plays with constitutional fire. Within the thickets of subclauses and the jungle of parliamentary drafting of these new standing orders lurks a potentially explosive question. Is the Commons becoming the parliament of a state whose constituent nations are now inexorably and antagonistically moving apart from one another? |
| For a few English voters, English votes for English laws is not a dry phrase. For most Scots, not just nationalists, it certainly isn’t one. David Cameron’s promotion of Evel on the morning after Scotland’s vote to stay in the UK was an incendiary and irresponsible act. In many Scots’ eyes, it instantly undermined the credibility of pro-UK political parties and promises – with consequences that continue to this day. Tory and press fear campaigns against the SNP in the general election added to this further. The standing orders on which MPs will vote on Thursday are not in fact particularly objectionable in themselves. However, in the context of post-referendum distrust they can all too easily be represented, as they are being, as a destructive and hostile partisan act. | For a few English voters, English votes for English laws is not a dry phrase. For most Scots, not just nationalists, it certainly isn’t one. David Cameron’s promotion of Evel on the morning after Scotland’s vote to stay in the UK was an incendiary and irresponsible act. In many Scots’ eyes, it instantly undermined the credibility of pro-UK political parties and promises – with consequences that continue to this day. Tory and press fear campaigns against the SNP in the general election added to this further. The standing orders on which MPs will vote on Thursday are not in fact particularly objectionable in themselves. However, in the context of post-referendum distrust they can all too easily be represented, as they are being, as a destructive and hostile partisan act. |
| 9.17am BST09:17 | 9.17am BST09:17 |
| Oh dear ... | Oh dear ... |
| The good news for @timfarron is he has a whole page piece in @TheSun. The bad news is they've got his name wrong: pic.twitter.com/1rC4cwt2NF | The good news for @timfarron is he has a whole page piece in @TheSun. The bad news is they've got his name wrong: pic.twitter.com/1rC4cwt2NF |
| 9.08am BST09:08 | 9.08am BST09:08 |
| The Herald has an interesting quote from Scotland secretary David Mundell on the ‘EVEL’ plans. He admits that the current proposals wouldn’t technically prevent Scottish MPs from voting down England-only legislation at the final stage. | The Herald has an interesting quote from Scotland secretary David Mundell on the ‘EVEL’ plans. He admits that the current proposals wouldn’t technically prevent Scottish MPs from voting down England-only legislation at the final stage. |
| Ultimately, Scottish MPs will potentially have the final say as to what the arrangements are for fox-hunting in England, Sunday shopping in England, for the arrangement of the northern powerhouse in England, because all MPs will continue to have all the votes that they currently have. | Ultimately, Scottish MPs will potentially have the final say as to what the arrangements are for fox-hunting in England, Sunday shopping in England, for the arrangement of the northern powerhouse in England, because all MPs will continue to have all the votes that they currently have. |
| Updated at 10.10am BST | Updated at 10.10am BST |
| 8.59am BST08:59 | 8.59am BST08:59 |
| MPs will debate the government’s English votes for English laws plans at around 11.30. | MPs will debate the government’s English votes for English laws plans at around 11.30. |
| The plans to be debated today are a watered down version of the proposals that were presented to parliament in July. The government decided to dilute its plans – including allowing for more time to debate them – after Tory whips warned Downing Street it faced defeat because rebel Conservatives had joined forces with the Democratic Unionist party (DUP). | The plans to be debated today are a watered down version of the proposals that were presented to parliament in July. The government decided to dilute its plans – including allowing for more time to debate them – after Tory whips warned Downing Street it faced defeat because rebel Conservatives had joined forces with the Democratic Unionist party (DUP). |
| The debate was delayed until now because there were no more free days to debate before parliament rose for the summer recess on 21 July. | The debate was delayed until now because there were no more free days to debate before parliament rose for the summer recess on 21 July. |
| The ‘EVEL’ plans would introduce a new parliamentary stage for laws that only affect England or England and Wales. English and Welsh MPs would have a chance to scrutinise proposed legislation alone first and all MPs would then continue to debate and vote on the legislation at second reading, third reading and report stage. | The ‘EVEL’ plans would introduce a new parliamentary stage for laws that only affect England or England and Wales. English and Welsh MPs would have a chance to scrutinise proposed legislation alone first and all MPs would then continue to debate and vote on the legislation at second reading, third reading and report stage. |
| The SNP’s Pete Wishart has just been on the BBC’s Today programme with Chris Grayling, leader of the House of Commons. | The SNP’s Pete Wishart has just been on the BBC’s Today programme with Chris Grayling, leader of the House of Commons. |
| Wishart repeated the argument that the plans would render Scottish MPs “second class in the unitary parliament”, politicise the office of the speaker of the House of Commons and increase the work load of parliament. He also complained that the plans were being “rushed through” in the form of a standing order. | Wishart repeated the argument that the plans would render Scottish MPs “second class in the unitary parliament”, politicise the office of the speaker of the House of Commons and increase the work load of parliament. He also complained that the plans were being “rushed through” in the form of a standing order. |
| Chris Grayling responded to the criticism that the new plans would politicise the commons speaker – who would have to decide whether legislation effects England only – saying he didn’t think such a judgement call would be “complicated at all”. Grayling said John Bercow would be given recommendations by the civil servants who had drafted the bill as to which parts of the United Kingdom they affected. | Chris Grayling responded to the criticism that the new plans would politicise the commons speaker – who would have to decide whether legislation effects England only – saying he didn’t think such a judgement call would be “complicated at all”. Grayling said John Bercow would be given recommendations by the civil servants who had drafted the bill as to which parts of the United Kingdom they affected. |
| Wishart said: | Wishart said: |
| Why not do it yourself? Get an English parliament. Then we can come together in a UK parliament in a federal system and consider all the big issues. What is being proposed is to turn the unitary parliament of the UK into a quasi-English parliament and that’s surely unacceptable. | Why not do it yourself? Get an English parliament. Then we can come together in a UK parliament in a federal system and consider all the big issues. What is being proposed is to turn the unitary parliament of the UK into a quasi-English parliament and that’s surely unacceptable. |
| I’m covering for Andrew this week, bringing you breaking political news as it happens, as well as bringing you the best reaction, comment and analysis from the web. | I’m covering for Andrew this week, bringing you breaking political news as it happens, as well as bringing you the best reaction, comment and analysis from the web. |
| If you want to follow me or contact me on Twitter, I’m on @fperraudin | If you want to follow me or contact me on Twitter, I’m on @fperraudin |
| Updated at 10.11am BST | Updated at 10.11am BST |